HOUSTON, TX- Sam Houston Race Park will present Texas Preview Day on Saturday, February 15, beginning at 1:00 pm (Central). The eight-race program will feature five stakes for Texas Thoroughbreds. Three main track features, the $75,000 Jim’s Orbit, $75,000 Two Altazano and $75,000 David E. Hooper will be contested as well as the $75,000 Miss Bluebonnet Turf and $75,000 Houston Turf on the acclaimed Connally Turf Course.

Each of these stakes will serve as a springboard for Texas Champions Day on Saturday, March 22. It remains one of the biggest days for Thoroughbred racing annually at Sam Houston Race Park and has produced many Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) Horse of the Year honorees. Sunlit Song, 2023 Texas Horse of the Year, will compete on Saturday in the $75,000 Houston Turf.

The striking gray son of My Golden Song out of the Early Flyer Mare Fly So True was bred by Carolyn R. Barnett and foaled on April 15, 2015. Owned by Barnett and Becky Harding, Sunlit Song made his debut on February 17, 2018 right here at Sam Houston Race Park. It was a less than stellar beginning as he ran off while loading into the gate, finishing fifth.

Mindy Willis noticed his antics at Sam Houston when Barnett tabbed her to take over the training duties as Sunlit Song shipped to Lone Star Park.

“I told Carolyn that it was clear the horse had not been schooled,” stated Willis. “He thrashed around in the starting gate, dumped his rider and ran off. Plus, he was terrible when we saddled him. Carolyn was so afraid that she wouldn’t even enter the paddock! I made her a promise that Sunlit Song would win a race, but he would require a lot of schooling.”

Willis’ aassessment and hours working with Sunlit Song proved to be spot on, as he broke his maiden at Lone Star Park on April 19 in a six-furlong main track race, shaking clear at the top of the stretch and crossing the wire by five lengths.

His first turf victory came on June 22, when he showed his trademark determination in stalking the early pace and drawing off. Willis knew when she saw his pricked ears, that was the sign he would not be denied. After several on the board turf stakes placings, Sunlit Song won the 2020 Highlander Training Center Assault Stakes, the first of seven stakes victories in his career. He triumphed twice in the Remington Green Stakes at Remington Park, Richard Kind Handicap here and Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame run at Retama Park.

Now 10-years-old, Sunlit Song has been derailed by foot issues, including quarter cracks and abscesses over the years. Willis is diligent in monitoring his care and turning him out when needed. Willis gave him time off on her farm in Oklahoma following the 2024 Remington Park.

“He was hurting and I actually thought that might have been it for his career,” admitted Willis. “But one day, he popped an abscess and shortly after, I saw him running and bucking in the pasture. It was like he was telling me “Hell no, not yet!”

His training has gone well this meet at Sam Houston, winning a turf prep here on January 24, which set the wheels in motion for his return in the Houston Turf this Saturday.

“He worked on Saturday (February 8) and when I saw those pricked ears, I knew he was ready.”

Sam Houston Race Park’s leading rider Stewart Elliott has the return call aboard the 6-5 morning line choice and will face seven rivals traveling a mile and one-sixteenth over the Connally Turf Course.

Willis was pretty much born on horseback as her father was a rodeo competitor, specializing in bull and calf roping. Her mom went into labor in her ninth month of pregnancy with Willis while leading a rodeo parade in Burbank, California. They were rushed to the hospital, but her father had to finish his events before meeting his daughter.

“In those days, you had to pay your own entry, so he had to get that prize money,” explained Willis.

From an early age, she discovered her love for horses and began training in 1982. Willis has won 847 races and close to 2,000 seconds and thirds in her career. She is the sixth leading conditioner at Sam Houston Race Park since its opening in 1994 with 260 wins. Sunlit Song is her top earner with $782,540 banked in 46 lifetime starts.

“I will always do right by him, but if he remains sound, I would love to run him this year in Houston, then at Lone Star and try for one more win in the Remington Green. To reach the $1 million mark would be amazing, but I love that he has continued to be so popular. He’s a “People’s Horse” and every trainer dreams of one of those!”

Tremendous Support for Ring The Bell for Thoroughbred Aftercare at Sam Houston Race Park

Last month, Sam Houston Race Park introduced a new program in partnership with the Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) and The Paddock Foundation, the Ring The Bell for Thoroughbred Aftercare. Each live racing day, owners and trainers are invited to donate a portion of their purse winnings to The Paddock Foundation, the official aftercare program for the Texas Thoroughbred Association. Racing fans are also invited to contribute by filling out a form in the Winner’s Circle and handing it to the Track Photographer. In recognition for their generosity, they will receive a photo and be recognized on the big screen television.

In just the first three weeks, over $4,000 has been raised by the generous donations of owners, breeders, trainers and racing fans, including a donation by trainer Mindy Willis.

“My owners all care greatly about their horses and were all for supporting this program,” she said. “To raise money for racehorses to pursue other opportunities following retirement is very important.”

Bryan Pettigrew, Sam Houston Race Park’s Vice President and General Manager was thrilled that the program has been so well-received. “Aftercare for horses after they retire from the sport means a great deal to me,” said Pettigrew. “I was involved in Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance during my time at NTRA and Breeders’ Cup and loved the idea that Texas Thoroughbred Association brought to us in Houston. The concept was adapted from the very successful program started by Horsemen at Oaklawn Park, and the support for this program in Houston has exceeded our expectations and we thank each of the donors and look forward to promoting Ring the Bell throughout our live racing season!”

Texas Preview Day Promotions – February 14-16|
Sam Houston Race Park looks forward to welcoming fans for an exciting weekend of live racing and a variety of promotions.

Friday, February 14 – 6:30 pm First race
Between races on Friday evening, ladies will be given the opportunity to dig for $25,000 in jewelry during the popular Diamond Dig, presented by Shannon Jewelers. Valentines Day Premium Buffet in the Winner’s Circle Restaurant featuring Prime Rib for $60.00 includes tax, gratuity, General admission and a live racing program. All ladies will receive a long stem rose.

Saturday, February 15 – 1:00 pm First race

Valentines Day Premium Buffet in the Winner’s Circle Restaurant featuring Prime Rib for $60.00 includes tax, gratuity, General admission and a live racing program. All ladies will receive a long stem rose. Five Texas Preview Day Stakes races will run, beginning in the fourth race.

Sunday, February, 16 – 1:00 pm First Race
GFL Day at the Races

 Sam Houston Race Park has upgraded its online reservation system with tickets for live racing, special events, dining in the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and suite rentals. For more information on live and simulcast racing, promotions and special events, or to book reservations, visit shrp.com.

About Sam Houston Race Park
Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 miles northwest of downtown Houston. Owned by Penn Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ – PENN), the racetrack, which opened in 1994, offers a variety of attractions for businesses, group outings and families during racing and the off-season. The track is best known for its award-winning dining and features multiple areas for fans looking for casual to upscale dining options including its Winner’s Circle Restaurant, Jockey Club, Luxury Suites and Pavilion Centre. For more information or tickets to upcoming live racing, concerts and events, please visit www.shrp.com or follow on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok or YouTube.  

 
Photos:  Jack Coady Photography